Around 160 new jobs will be created now that Easyjet has announced that it is to create six new routes from Edinburgh airport, also increasing the number of planes based at the airport from five to seven.

The destinations, which are likely to bring in almost 140,000 more passengers are: Berlin and Hamburg, Prague, Copenhagen, Reykjavik and Dubrovnik.

The routes were decided after consultation with VisitScotland, Marketing Edinburgh and the Scottish business community. It is thought that they will benefit the economy by close to £90m.

Hugh Aitken, Easyjet’s Head of Scotland, said: “Easyjet’s new routes have been selected to boost both inbound and outbound business and leisure travellers. The two new aircraft mean that we, along with our ground handler, are able to create 160 jobs in Scotland as well as hundreds more which will be created through increased tourism.

“We will also be increasing our frequencies and the number of routes we are able to operate.”

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “These new Easyjet routes are also a major boost to our tourism sector, which is worth £11 billion to our economy and employs 270,000 people.

“Attracting more direct flights to and from Scotland helps deliver cheaper fares for the public and reduces the need for extra connecting flights through London.”

This will be the first time Iceland will be served all year round from Edinburgh, and Easyjet will be the only airline to operate flights between Edinburgh and Berlin.